21 sides so good, you’ll seriously forget the main course

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Discover a collection of 21 incredible side dish recipes that are bound to steal the spotlight at your next meal. These dishes are so good that you might just forget about the mains altogether.

Hash Browns on a white plate with an egg and avocado.
Hash Browns. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Dauphinoise Potatoes

An oven dish with baked dauphinoise potatoes in it.
Dauphinoise Potatoes. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Creamy and decadent, Dauphinoise Potatoes are the ultimate comfort side dish. With layers of thinly sliced potatoes bathed in a rich cream sauce, they have a way of stealing the show and making you forget about the main course.
Get the Recipe: Dauphinoise Potatoes

Broccoli Casserole with Crackers

Someone serving broccoli casserole.
Broccoli Casserole with Crackers. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

This broccoli casserole is a crowd-pleaser. Topped with crispy crackers, it brings a delightful crunch to every bite. It’s so delicious that it might just overshadow the main dish on your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole with Crackers

Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

Slices of cucumber tossed in spicy Korean dressing.
Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Bursting with vibrant flavors and a kick of spice, this Korean Cucumber Salad is a side dish that demands attention. Its zesty, refreshing taste can easily make it the star of your meal, pushing the main course to the background.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa

A bowl of freshly made Copycat Chipotle corn salsa with a serving spoon in it.
Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

This zesty salsa packs a punch with its combination of corn, peppers, and spices. It’s so addictive that it could steal the spotlight at any gathering, making you forget about everything else on the menu.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa

Hasselback Potatoes

Roasted hasselback potatoes on a baking sheet with parmesan.
Hasselback Potatoes. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Hasselback Potatoes are a work of art on your plate. With their crispy edges and tender insides, these spuds have a way of becoming the center of attention, even outshining the main course with their irresistible charm.
Get the Recipe: Hasselback Potatoes

Cilantro Lime Rice

Chipotle rice in a bowl with sliced lime and spoons.
Cilantro Lime Rice. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Simple yet bursting with flavor, Cilantro Lime Rice is a side dish that knows how to shine. Its zesty freshness and aromatic cilantro can easily make you forget about the main dish, leaving your taste buds utterly satisfied.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Rice

Hash Browns

Hash Browns on a white plate with an egg and avocado.
Hash Browns. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

The humble Hash Browns can transform any meal into a comforting delight. These crispy, golden gems have a knack for stealing the spotlight, making you question if you even need a main course when you’ve got these on your plate.
Get the Recipe: Hash Browns

Copycat Chipotle Black Beans

Chipotle black beans cooked and in a serving bowl.
Copycat Chipotle Black Beans. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

These black beans are a flavor explosion. Packed with spices and rich goodness, they have a way of making you forget about the main dish altogether. Their bold taste can easily take the center stage at your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chipotle Black Beans

Baked Sweet Potato

Three roasted sweet potatoes on a plate with chives.
Baked Sweet Potato. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Baked to perfection, a sweet potato can become the star of your meal. With its natural sweetness and tender texture, it has the power to overshadow the main course, leaving you completely satisfied with its simple goodness.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sweet Potato

French Bread

A person is holding French bread.
French Bread. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Freshly baked French bread has a charm of its own. Its crispy crust and soft interior can make you forget about the main dish and indulge in the pure pleasure of warm, comforting bread straight from the oven.
Get the Recipe: French Bread

Sweet Potato Cubes

Sweet potato cubes on a plate with a dipping sauce.
Sweet Potato Cubes. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

These sweet potato cubes are like little nuggets of happiness. Roasted to perfection, they can easily become the highlight of your meal, making you question the need for a main course when you have these flavorful bites on your plate.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Cubes

Green Bean Casserole

A casserole dish filled with green bean casserole with a spoon in it.
Green Bean Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Green Bean Casserole is a classic that never goes out of style. With its creamy mushroom sauce and crispy onions on top, it can effortlessly steal the show and leave you wondering if the main course is even necessary.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

Southern Mash

Mashed potatoes on a white plate.
Southern Mash. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Southern Mash is comfort food at its best. Creamy, buttery, and loaded with flavor, it can quickly become the star of your dinner table. Its irresistible taste can make you forget about the main course and dive into a bowl of pure goodness.
Get the Recipe: Southern Mash

Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

Roasted brussels sprouts in a white bowl.
Balsamic Brussels Sprouts. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

These Brussels sprouts are anything but ordinary. Roasted to perfection and drizzled with balsamic glaze, they have the potential to become the highlight of your meal, leaving the main course in the background as you savor their deliciousness.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

Fingerling Potatoes

Fingerling potatoes in a serving bowl.
Fingerling Potatoes. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Fingerling potatoes are small but mighty in flavor. Whether roasted, fried, or boiled, their natural goodness can easily outshine the main course, making you wonder why you ever needed anything else on your plate.
Get the Recipe: Fingerling Potatoes

Corn Casserole

Corn casserole in a casserole dish with a portion removed.
Corn Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Corn Casserole is the epitome of comfort. With its creamy, corny goodness, it can quickly become the star of your meal, pushing the main course to the sidelines as you savor every spoonful of this homestyle classic.
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole

Air Fryer Asparagus

Air fried asparagus with garlic and parmesan on a white plate.
Air Fryer Asparagus. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Crispy and flavorful, air-fried asparagus has a knack for stealing the spotlight. Its simplicity and irresistible taste can make you forget about the main course as you enjoy the delightful crunch and flavor of this side dish.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Asparagus

Smashed Potatoes

Smashed potatoes on parchment paper, with dollops of sauce and sprigs of dill.
Smashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Smashed Potatoes are a delightful twist on the classic. With their crispy exterior and creamy interior, they can easily become the star of your meal, leaving the main course in the shadows as you savor their irresistible texture.
Get the Recipe: Smashed Potatoes

Vegetable Fritters

Vegetable fritters in a stack.
Vegetable Fritters. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

These vegetable fritters are a burst of flavor and crunch. Whether served as an appetizer or a side dish, their deliciousness can make you forget about the main course altogether as you relish the medley of veggies in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Fritters

Potato Casserole

Potato Casserole being served.
Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Potato Casserole is the epitome of comfort food. With its creamy, cheesy layers, it has the potential to become the star of your meal, leaving the main course as a distant memory as you savor each spoonful of this savory delight.
Get the Recipe: Potato Casserole

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole

A casserole dish with zucchini and cheese on it.
Cheesy Zucchini Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

This cheesy zucchini casserole is a winner. With its layers of zucchini, cheese, and flavor, it can easily outshine the main course and become the star of your dinner table. Its cheesy goodness is simply irresistible.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Zucchini Casserole

Baked Potato

Baked potatoes on a serving dish with sour cream and fresh parsley.
Baked Potato. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

A perfectly baked potato is a meal in itself. With its fluffy interior and crispy skin, it has a way of becoming the center of attention, making you forget about the main course as you savor the simplicity and deliciousness of this classic.
Get the Recipe: Baked Potato

Refried Beans

A bowl of homemade refried beans and lime wedges.
Refried Beans. Photo credit: .

Refried beans are a comforting side dish with a rich, hearty flavor. Their creamy texture and savory taste can easily steal the show, leaving the main course in the background as you enjoy the satisfying goodness of these beans.
Get the Recipe: Refried Beans

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